New strategy to ensure tourists come to Christchurch

Christchurch International Airport (CIAL) is working with the
tourism industry to develop a new strategy to ensure tourists
continue to fly in and out of Christchurch Airport to travel in the
South Island.

"We have always been the major gateway for international
travellers to come to the South Island and we still intend to be,"
said CIAL Chief Executive Jim Boult. "Tourists spend $4.3 billion a
year in the South Island, so keeping this industry alive and
thriving is vital to the renewal of Christchurch and the well-being
of the South Island economy."

A team from Christchurch Airport, Christchurch and Canterbury
Tourism, and Tourism New Zealand met to discuss ways to reassure
travellers that New Zealand is still a great place to visit.

"A large percentage of hotel rooms in Christchurch are
unavailable because they are damaged or are in the CBD," explained
Jim Boult. "So one of the key issues is how to move people
quickly and easily from the airport to remaining accommodation both
within and outside Christchurch."

He went on to say that there is still some accommodation in
Christchurch as most motels have continued operating. "There are
approximately 1900 motel rooms in Christchurch, mostly in the
suburbs. Ninety five percent of the motels in Christchurch are
operational. At the moment, these are full with
emergency response personnel, but they will gradually become
available for travellers in the near future."

Christchurch Airport is arranging a meeting next week of all
Regional Tourism offices and airlines involved in the South Island
to address the issue of maintaining a strong tourism industry.